Monroe Park will be blocked off Monday when crews get started on a $6 million renovation project. They'll upgrade underground sewer, gas, water an electrical systems.

"This park has a long history and has always served as an important hub in our city," Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones. "Working in partnership with the Monroe Park Conservancy group and VCU to restore the park’s luster is an opportunity that we’ve embraced with great enthusiasm. We thank all of those contributing to help us reach our goal for the park’s restoration, building on our efforts to provide beautiful open and sustainable spaces that improve Richmond communities."

The first five-week phase of construction will focus on arbor care. Park light poles and fixtures will be removed, stored and recycled in other parks. Park benches will be removed and saved.

When the 8-acre park reopens, it will be fully sustainable, with a goal of mitigating water runoff, and will include the installation of LED lighting and native plants.

“Monroe Park will continue to be a place that is welcoming to everyone — a green, urban living room” said Alice Massie, president of the Monroe Park Conservancy that has led the renovation effort.

But in the meantime what will the homeless people do?

"Whether it'd be out in the outdoors or not, it's still a place that they call home,” said Wanda Glaud, who was out at the park handing out fruit.

They tell CBS 6 they plan on moving a few blocks away to Abner Clay Park off Leigh Street and Brook Road.

"They're just moving somewhere else, ain’t nothing going to change. Just a new location,” Sexton said.

The project could last up to 18 months, and some are concerned about moving to Adner Clay Park, where there aren’t any toilets, water fountains, benches or gazebos.

"We're going to go there, that's the plan,” said Moore.

Moore and others who serve the homeless plan on following the crowd to continue to help.

"Who knows that's going to happen to these folks where they're going to get their food from….we don't know that yet. It's an unknown. The city hasn't provided any resolution to it for them and neither has VCU. So we just don't know,” Moore said.

Massie said she has been out in Monroe Park for months spreading the word about the closure and helping homeless people find permanent housing or shelters. She's also trying to let those who provide services know that there are ways they can still help once the park closes.

She says organizations that support the homeless, including Homeward and the United Way. They are urging those interested in providing food or clothing to the homeless or those in need of food or clothing to call 2-1-1 for assistance while the park is closed.